
CSP Featured Artist: IceCalm
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How did you become an artist?
Becoming an artist was never something I originally planned. I’m actually a law student, which doesn’t exactly align with being an artist. Even before I started sharing my work on social media, I didn’t have many people around me who shared my interest in art, but it never stopped me from improving my drawing. Not to mention, it has always been a huge part of my life. My love for drawing started at a very young age, just like many other artists. It wasn't until I got my first pen tablet in my teenage years that I started thinking about drawing seriously. That was a turning point for me, as my skills improved significantly from that moment on. I never seriously considered becoming a professional artist, but over time, it became clear that I couldn’t just set art aside. It’s a part of me. And now, here I am, pursuing it in ways I never expected.
Where do you get inspiration?
I draw a lot of inspiration from things I love: manga, anime, and video games. These mediums have always fascinated me, and they’re a big reason why I started drawing in the first place. I’ve always dreamed of creating illustrations for video games, and that passion fuels a lot of my work. Every piece I create is, in a way, a tribute to the stories and visuals that have inspired me.
What’s your hardware setup?
I use the Xppen Artist 15.6 Pro as my drawing tablet, and an Acer Nitro 5 for the laptop.
What do you like best about Clip Studio Paint?
One of the things I love most about Clip Studio Paint is Clip Studio Assets. It’s an incredible resource where you can find and download brushes, textures, and other assets created by different artists. Having access to such a huge variety of tools allows me to experiment with different styles and techniques without having to create everything from scratch. It really enhances my workflow and makes the whole creative process more flexible and efficient. It feels like CSP was made with illustrators in mind, giving me the flexibility to refine my work exactly how I envision it.
How long does it take you to make a single illustration?
On average, it takes me around six to fifteen hours to complete one illustration. But I usually work on multiple illustrations at the same time, switching between them depending on my progress and mood. Because of this workflow, I can typically finish one illustration in about five to seven days.
How has Clip Studio Paint improved your workflow?
Clip Studio Paint has streamlined my workflow in so many ways. The Liquify tool has been a game changer for me. Adjusting anatomy, proportions, and silhouettes used to be a tedious process, often requiring me to redraw entire sections just to make small corrections. With Liquify, I can tweak and refine my work effortlessly, allowing for more flexibility and precision. It helps me experiment with compositions without committing to drastic changes too soon, ultimately speeding up my workflow while keeping the creative process smooth and efficient.
Where can we follow your work?